Taiwan Tightens Rules: Fines for Pedestrians Obstructing Ambulances

New Regulations Aim to Ensure Emergency Vehicle Passage and Promote Road Safety

Taipei, Taiwan - In a move to enhance road safety and ensure the swift passage of emergency vehicles, Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has clarified the consequences for pedestrians who impede ambulances. Starting immediately, individuals found obstructing an ambulance during an emergency will face a fine of NT$500 (approximately US$15.09).

The MOTC's announcement follows the widespread circulation of dashcam footage on social media depicting a pedestrian in Kaohsiung behaving inappropriately towards an ambulance. This incident prompted scrutiny of existing regulations, as local reports noted the absence of specific laws to address such behavior.

The clarification underscores the priority given to emergency vehicle right-of-way. When an ambulance activates its strobe lights and siren, both vehicles and pedestrians are legally obligated to yield. The new measures specify that obstructing an ambulance constitutes a violation of Paragraph 4, Article 78-1 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act. This regulation addresses actions that impede traffic, encompassing behavior such as standing or squatting on roadways with heavy traffic.

Furthermore, the MOTC issued a warning emphasizing that pedestrians who intentionally obstruct an ambulance through force or violence may face charges of obstructing official duties under the Criminal Code. This emphasizes the seriousness of hindering emergency responders.

The National Police Agency (NPA) has also addressed the Kaohsiung incident in a separate statement. While initially, the pedestrian's actions did not appear to violate traffic regulations, the NPA is investigating the individual for a potential violation of Article 85-1 of the Social Order Maintenance Act, related to inappropriate behavior towards officials.